Firefighters Successfully Contain Newlands Ravine Blaze That Spread to Front Face of Table Mountain Near Cape Town

A major fire that broke out at Newlands Ravine, quickly spreading to the front face of Table Mountain, has now been contained.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames, including in areas that were initially hard to reach.

Fire Breaks Out and Grows Stronger

The fire started early on Sunday morning, and firefighters were quick to respond.

Aerial resources were deployed at first light to help combat the blaze.

Unfortunately, the fire intensified on Tuesday night due to strong winds, spreading further across the mountain.

Quick Action Leads to Fire Containment

By Thursday morning, however, firefighters had successfully suppressed the flames in Newlands Ravine and the front face of Table Mountain, along with the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, another fire, the Redhill fire, which began later on Sunday, was contained by Wednesday afternoon.

Despite some flare-ups and three new fires, all fires are now under control, though suppression efforts are still ongoing.

Trails Reopened and Others Closed

As fire suppression continues, some areas have been reopened to the public.

The Platteklip Gorge and Kloof Corner trails are now accessible once again.

However, Maclear’s Beacon and the route from Devil’s Peak to Newlands remain closed, as does Tafelberg Road from Platteklip parking toward Devil’s Peak.

Additionally, all trails in Newlands Forest, including Rhodes Memorial and Block House, are currently closed for safety reasons.

Thanks to All Who Helped Fight the Fires

South African National Parks (SANParks) has expressed its gratitude to all the organizations that supported the firefighting efforts.

These include NCC Wildfires, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Working on Fire, and Enviro Wildfire Services.

Special thanks were also given to the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services and Provincial Disaster Management for their assistance.

Community Support for Firefighters

SANParks also acknowledged the generous donations made by the public and corporate entities, providing food and drinks for the firefighters.

Many of the firefighters are volunteers who put their lives at risk while working in the mountains.

During long 24-hour shifts, especially during the cold and dark hours of the night, the warm meals and extra energy from these donations are much appreciated.